2013 Truman Access Area Management Plan  Page 3
OVERVIEW







Official Area Name: Truman Access, # 9916
Year of Initial Acquisition: 1999
Acreage: 19.8 acres
County: Jefferson
Division with Administrative Responsibility: Forestry
Division with Maintenance Responsibility: Forestry
Statements of Primary Purpose:
A. Strategic Direction
Provide public fishing access to the Mississippi River for both boat and bank anglers
as well as offer walk-in access to the adjoining Harlow Island which is part of the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge.
B. Desired Future Condition
The desired future condition of Truman Access is a forested river access on the
Mississippi River.
C. Federal Aid Purpose
This area, or a portion thereof, was acquired with Land and Water Conservation Fund
dollars to provide land or facilities for public outdoor recreation.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS
I.
II.
III.
Special Considerations
A. Priority Areas: Isle du Bois Aquatic Conservation Opportunity Area (COA);
Brickley Hills COA
B. Natural Area: None
Important Natural Features and Resources
A. Species of Conservation Concern: Species of conservation concern are known
from this area. Area Managers should consult the Natural Heritage Database
annually and review all management activities with the Natural History Biologist.
B. Caves: None
C. Springs: None
D. Other: None
Existing Infrastructure
 2 parking lots
 Concrete boat ramp
 Concrete bridge for walk in access to Harlow Island (USF&WS)
2013 Truman Access Area Management Plan  Page 4
IV.
Area Restrictions or Limitations
A. Deed restrictions or ownership considerations:
Agreement with Jefferson County places conditions on acquisition of property.
See files in area manager’s office for details.
B. Federal Interest: This land must provide land/facilities for public outdoor
recreation in perpetuity. Federal funds may also be used in the management of
this land. Fish and wildlife agencies may not allow recreational activities and
related facilities that would interfere with the purpose for which the State is
managing the land. Other uses may be acceptable and must be assessed in each
specific situation.
C. Easements: Access easement to property granted by Ameren Missouri to allow
public access to the area.
D. Cultural resources findings: None
E. Hazards and hazardous materials: None observed.
F. Endangered species: None observed.
G. Boundary Issues: None
MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS
V.
Terrestrial Resource Management Considerations
Challenges and Opportunities:
1) Mississippi River fluctuations regularly flood this area and on some years for long
periods of time which restricts access to the area, deposits silt and debris and
influences the vegetation.
2) Many invasive species occur within the Mississippi watershed and can displace
native vegetation including native trees.
Management Objective 1: Maintain forested cover on area to minimize soil erosion.
Strategy 1: Monitor after flood events and other disturbances to ensure trees
remain established on the area. If there is significant tree mortality on the area,
the use of natural seeding or hand planting of seedlings will be used to reestablish
forest (trees) on the area.
Strategy 2: Monitor for invasive species that are threatening the forest or
displacing native species on the area and treat as necessary.
2013 Truman Access Area Management Plan  Page 5
VI.
Aquatic Resource Management Considerations
Challenges and Opportunities:
1) The area is flooded regularly and on some years for long periods of time which
restricts access to the area and deposits large volumes of sediment on
infrastructure.
2) Provide access to bank for anglers and to the river for boat anglers and
recreational boaters.
Management Objective 1: Ensure boat ramp and parking areas are accessible.
Strategy 1: Inspect area regularly and after flood events to ensure boat ramp is
accessible for users.
Strategy 2: Remove excess sediments and debris and address erosion issues when
necessary.
VII.
Public Use Management Considerations
Challenges and Opportunities:
1) Maintain a clean, safe, and user friendly public use area for boaters, anglers, and
other visitors to the area.
2) This property provides boat and fishing access to the Mississippi River and walkin access to the adjoining Harlow Island which is part of the US Fish and Wildlife
Service – Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge.
Management Objective 1: Maintain parking lots, concrete boat ramp, and concrete foot
bridge in a manner which promotes their aesthetics and utility.
Strategy 1: Perform routine trash pickup, painting, mowing, and other
maintenance activities.
Management Objective 2: Provide walk-in access for area users and walk-in access to
the adjoining Harlow Island.
Strategy 1: Maintain smaller parking lot for access for all users.
VIII.
Administrative Considerations
Challenges and Opportunities:
1) Challenge: Ensure a safe, clean and attractive area for the public to visit.
2) Challenge: Off-road vehicle access on area and to adjoining Ameren property
occurs during periods of low water.
3) Challenge: vandalism, littering, and illegal activities occur on area.
2013 Truman Access Area Management Plan  Page 6
Management Objective 1: Maintain well marked, accurate boundary lines and area
signs.
Strategy 1: Paint boundary trees and maintain signs along boundary lines every
five years.
Strategy 2: Paint and maintain area signs required for this access.
Management Objective 2: Reduce vandalism, regulation violations, and littering.
Strategy 1: Maintain infrastructure to encourage good public stewardship.
Strategy 2: Ensure area regulations and policies are clearly posted.
Strategy 3: Perform regular area inspections and patrols.
Strategy 4: Utilize open communication with Conservation Agents about
activities on area and address issues as they are reported.
Management Objective 3: Deter off-road vehicle use.
Strategy 1: Inspect and make sure boulders and trees along roadway are intact
and prevent trespass onto neighboring property and off road vehicle use.
Strategy 2: During periods of low water, place natural barricades and temporary
signs indicating boundary and restricting vehicle access along bank of Mississippi
River.
MANAGEMENT TIMETABLE
Strategies are considered ongoing unless listed in the following table:
FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19
Administrative
Considerations
Objective 1
Strategy 1
X
FY20
X
FY21
FY22
2013 Truman Access Area Management Plan  Page 7
APPENDICES
Area Background:
Truman Access is in southeast Jefferson County, about twelve miles southeast of Festus. The
area was acquired in 1999 through an agreement with Jefferson County and Ameren Missouri.
This property provides boat and fishing access to the Mississippi River and walk-in access to the
adjoining Harlow Island which is part of the US Fish and Wildlife Service – Middle Mississippi
River National Wildlife Refuge.
The area is subject to flooding in times of high water along the Mississippi River. The area is
closed to the public when water, heavy mud, and debris are on the road and ramp.
Current Land and Water Types:
Bottomland Forest
15
% of
Area
76
Other
4.8
24
Total
19.8
100
Land/Water Type
Frontage on the Mississippi River
Acres
Feet
1270
Public Input Summary:
The draft Truman Access Area Management Plan was available for a public comment period
November 1 – November 30, 2013. The Missouri Department of Conservation received no
comments during this time period.
Maps:
Figure 1: Area Map
Figure 2: Aerial Map
Figure 3: Topographical Map
2013 Truman Access Area Management Plan  Page 8
Figure 1: Area Map
2013 Truman Access Area Management Plan  Page 9
Figure 2: Aerial Map
2013 Truman Access Area Management Plan  Page 10
Figure 3: Topographical Map